When searching for the right ABA provider, you will have many questions, thoughts, and concerns. Funding – including grants – for ABA therapy shouldn’t be one of them.
Cultivate is here to guide you through the funding and grant maze every step of the way. The following is a list of financial resources for families seeking therapy services. Grant requirements and availability change frequently so we recommend researching these options prior to applying. It may be necessary to apply for multiple grants.
The Cultivate team will do it’s best to keep this list up to date. If you notice something is out of date on this list, please notify us!
ABA Therapy Funding in Florida
Gardiner Scholarship – The Gardiner Scholarship program helps parents individualize the educational plans for their children with certain special needs. The Gardiner Scholarship is different than other state scholarships in that it allows parents to personalize the education of their children with unique abilities by directing money toward a combination of programs and approved providers. These include schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account.
The application period for 2020-2021 is currently closed, but you can join a mailing list to be notified when the 2021-2022 application period open. Learn more here.
ABA Therapy Grants in Illinois
Chicago Autism Network – Chicago Autism Network is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families find and afford effective autism therapy and supports. While the Chicagoland area has a wealth of autism service providers, too often families can’t access these services due to lack information and lack of funding.
To help families afford effective therapy, the Chicago Autism Network offers financial aid through their Therapy Assistance Grants. Every fall, families can apply for financial assistance to cover insurance premiums and/or out-of-pocket therapy costs for the following calendar year.
The first year of Therapy Assistance Grants (2019), the Chicago Autism Network offered $10,000 in financial assistance to local families. For 2020, they more than doubled that amount, awarding over $22,000 to families in need. Learn more about the Chicago Autism Network grants on their website.
Autism Hero Project – The mission of the Autism Hero Project in Illinois is to promote autism awareness, change public policy and the way the world does business with a workforce that is intentional about inclusion.
This group helps those in need by sponsoring medical insurance coverage for children to access Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy to attain the life skills they need to be successful.
The current cycle for ABA funding and grants is closed, but will open back up in Fall 2021. Learn more about the application process at: https://www.autismheroproject.org/application
ABA Therapy Funding in Kentucky
Michelle P Waiver – The Michelle P. Waiver (MPW) is part of Kentucky’s 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver program. MPW provides assistance to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to help them live in the community as independently as possible. In 2002 a person (named Michelle P.) sued the state of Kentucky because waitlist for other wavers had exceeded 3,000 people. In 2008 the state agreed to start a new Medicaid waiver to serve individuals in need of services.
For more information about MPW and how to apply visit: https://cultivatebhe.com/waiver-services/
ABA Therapy Funding in Tennessee
Katie Beckett Program – The Katie Beckett waiver is expected to provide financial assistant to about 3,000 Tennessee children with severe disabilities and illnesses. The waiver will use a mix of state and federal funding to cover medical treatment for children with severe disabilities whose families have too much income to qualify for TennCare.
According to the Tennessee Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, participants will generally fall into one of two levels of service:
- About 2,700 children with disabilities or complex medical needs will receive up to $10,000 per year in medical medical and home-care services, but would not be enrolled in TennCare;
- And about 300 children with more significant needs would receive full TennCare coverage and up to $15,000 in services per year.
Families who are interested in applying will be able to fill out a self-referral form on the TennCare Connect website starting on Nov. 23.
ABA Therapy Funding in Texas
Masonic Children and Family Services of Texas – Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas partners with charitable organizations, medical professionals and educational facilities to provide safety, comfort, food, shelter, healthcare and educational services–basic needs every child and family deserves.
Services include, but are not limited to funding for: food, clothing and family services; medical, dental and prescription services; counseling, psychological services and autism therapy; school supplies, tutoring and career counseling; case management and referral services for children, families and agencies. MCFS staff work to ensure that each applicant’s needs are assessed and reviewed on an individual basis. They can also provide information and referral services for all Texas children and families.
ABA Therapy Grants in Wisconsin
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation – UHCCF’s mission is to help fill the gap between what medical services/items a child needs and what their commercial health benefit plan will pay for. UHCCF grants provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
